Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
HIV/AIDS
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are the only two of these four diseases that could possibly show an immediate positive as a result of the assault. The Syphilis and HIV/AIDS tests are used as baseline, and will only show the status of the victim at the time of her assault. She won’t know until later if she contracted either of them during the rape. Additional STD testing should occur 2 weeks after the assault and another HIV test should be taken 6 months after the assault.
There are many other diseases which can be contracted as a result of sexual assault, and for this reason it is vital that the victim allows herself to become familiar with the symptoms which they present. Two of the most common types of venereal diseases are syphilis and gonorrhea. Both are transmitted during intimate physical contact with an infected person. Initially, the genitalia, mouth or rectum are involved, although both infections will become systemic (affecting the whole body) after the initial infectious period.
A. Syphilis
Syphilis is spread during vaginal, anal and oral sexual contact with a partner who has syphilis. It is diagnosed with a blood test (VDRL). Unfortunately, the tests are only reactive after a person has gone through the incubation stage and is capable of infecting others. Advanced syphilis can cause insanity, blindness, heart disease and internal complications. A woman who develops an active infection and is not treated runs the risk of miscarriage of congenital defects if she becomes pregnant and is not treated prior to the end of the first trimester. Both infections can be treated with a variety of antibiotics.
1. 1st Stage
~Symptoms show up 3-12 weeks after having sexual intercourse
~Painless, reddish brown sore(s) on the mouth, sex organs, breasts or fingers
~Sore(s) last 1-5 weeks
~Sore(s) goes away, but the person still has syphilis
2. 2nd Stage
~Symptoms show up 1 week to 6 months after sore(s) heal
~A rash anywhere on the body
~Flu-like feelings
~Rash and flu like feelings go away, but syphilis is still present
B. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is spread during vaginal, anal and oral sexual contact with someone who is infected. It can lead to more serious infections and the reproductive organs can be damaged. Both men and women may no longer be able to have children. A mother with gonorrhea can give it to her baby during childbirth. Gonorrhea can cause heart trouble, skin disease, arthritis and blindness. Gonorrhea can only be detected with a cervical culture. Symptoms will show up 2-21 days after having sexual intercourse. Most women and some men have no symptoms.
